The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is watching corrupt judges closely and wont spare any found wanting.
Malami said unlike in the past when indicted judges were only sent on compulsory retirement, any judge that is found culpable risked criminal prosecution and forfeiture of assets.
“In this regard therefore, I am reiterating that the fight against corruption shall be total and will not exclude judicial officers, who are found wanting. After all, it is beyond doubt that a corrupt judge cannot meaningfully contribute to the fight against corruption.”
The minister said this on Tuesday, according to a statement by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP.
Malami delivered a paper in Lagos at the presentation of the group’s latest report, titled, ‘Go home and sin no more: Corrupt judges escaping justice in Nigeria’.
Malami, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on White Collar Crimes, Abiodun Aikomo, was quoted to have vowed that acts of judicial impunity on the part of judges would no longer be tolerated.
He noted that the Nigerian judiciary had been losing public trust and confidence as it appeared as if judges enjoyed total immunity from prosecution for alleged corrupt practices.
The AGF added, “As we may be aware, this administration promised Nigerians that it will promptly address the challenges facing our nation in the three areas of corruption, economy and security. Let no one be in doubt, the legitimate expectation of Nigerians in this regard shall be met."
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